Wednesday, April 21 Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.​—Jas. 4:8.

[Áine]

Wednesday, April 21

Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.—Jas. 4:8.

 

Meetings help us to draw closer to Jehovah. Our attitude toward attending meetings is a good indicator of how successful we will be at dealing with persecution in the future. (Heb. 10:24, 25) Why so? If we allow small obstacles to keep us from attending meetings now, what will happen in the future if we have to risk our safety to meet with fellow believers? On the other hand, if we develop a firm resolve to attend meetings, we will not give in when opposers try to stop us from gathering together. Now is the time to develop a love for our meetings. When we love to attend meetings, no opposition, not even a government ban, will stop us from obeying God rather than men. (Acts 5:29) Memorize your favorite scriptures. (Matt. 13:52) Your memory may not be perfect, but Jehovah can use his powerful holy spirit to bring those scriptures back to your mind. (John 14:26) Those scriptures will help you to stay close to Jehovah—and to endure faithfully. w19.07 3 ¶5; 4 ¶8-9

[Elnathan]

We don’t know how and when the wave of persecution or an outright ban will affect our worship of Jehovah. Christian meetings are essential tools from Our Loving Father to strengthen our relationship with our brothers and draw us even more closer to Jehovah. Attending meetings, studying the Bible & utilizing the free time available now for meditation - will soon help us face persecution with courage. 

[Sister Twister]

We need to know Jehovah well to develop a bond with him that we will need when persecution comes , meetings , personal study , good association and prayer are vital now to keep that bond with Jehovah and our brothers strong. to quote my late Mother in law - MEETINGS ARE A MUST .

[Vinnie]

Drawing Close to Jehovah has the sense that he will buy us back. The Psalmist David said -"But as for me, drawing near to God is good for me. I have made the Sovereign Lord Jehovah my refuge, To declare all your works." Getting close to Jehovah opens our eyes to praise him and give him glory.

[Br. Ice]

These two sentences, are great. Usually we think about attending meetings to show love, and to encourage one another. But these two key sentences give a whole other perspective about why we should attend our meetings. 

 

- "Good indicator of how successful we will be at dealing with persecution in the future."

 

- "When we love to attend meetings, no opposition, not even a government ban, will stop us from obeying God rather than men."

 

Would have loved to hear today's morning worship talk. And see if the brother, would talk about this. Hope we get to hear it in the future.